Arrangement and method for handling electronic components

Abstract

Arrangement (1) for processing electronic components, including a plurality of processing stations (3) for processing electronic component, at least some processing stations including an electrical actuator (8); a conveyor (2), such as a turret, for transporting components from one processing station to the next; and a central processing unit (5) for commanding the processing stations. At least some processing stations (3) include a local processing unit (7) for generating command signals (74) for the electric actuators (8). The central processing unit (5) is connected to the local processing units (7) over an electronic bus (6). Digital command instructions (75) are transferred on the electronic bus (6) between the central processing unit (5) and the local processing units (7).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to an arrangement and method for handling and / or testing electronic components.DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART[0002]During their manufacture, their conditioning or before being integrated into a printed circuit, electronic components generally undergo a series of operations, for example electric tests, along a production line that is often entirely automated. The electronic components are thus transferred from one processing station to another by a conveyor, which can be for example linear or circular.[0003]Circular conveyors are designed for transporting components of small size, and particularly electronic components, between a plurality of processing stations placed at the periphery of a revolving carrousel. These revolving conveyors are often used for manufacturing and conditioning electronic components, as mentioned above.[0004]With reference to FIG. 1, the arrangement 1 comprises a revolving turret 2 that can take a pluralit...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This solution simplifies the communication infrastructure, reduces cable complexity and costs, and enables plug-and-play installation of new processing stations by using a standardized network architecture, allowing for efficient and flexible operation of electronic component processing systems.

Problems solved by technology

This widespread arrangement suffers from a number of drawbacks.

First, the complexity of the central processing system is usually very high as this system must send dedicated signals to a large number of different actuators and parts.

Replacing a station by another station using different actuators thus usually requires an interruption of the whole system for adapting the software executed by the central system, and often installation of new wires between the central system and the updated station.

Moreover, using dedicated lines for each actuator is not only costly, but also requires a lot of volume.

As low level command signals are transmitted, the bandwidth may be important, requiring even more expensive and large connecting cables.

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